Attachment system for detachably securing a component to a shaft-like member

ABSTRACT

An interchangeable threaded attachment means for securing a given object to a shaft. By way of example and not limitation, the attachment means is embodied in a golf club assembly, providing for the use of multiple golf club heads with a single shaft. The assembly means comprises a threaded collet adaptor which clamps onto the lower portion of a golf club shaft and is threaded into a female aperture on the top of a golf club head. The threaded female aperture has a series of progressively ramped threads which locks the male threaded collet adapter securely in place when tightened, thereby eliminating the lateral thread clearance and converting some of the axial tension, seen in typical 60° threads, to radial or compressive forces on the male threads. This design utilizes the compressive forces to compress the male thread component, gripping the shaft, and eliminating all clearances in the threaded joint that can allow vibration or noise in the joint.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/986,061, filed on Nov. 7, 2007

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to threaded attachment means. More particularly, this present disclosure relates to threaded attachment means for securing an object to a shaft. By way of example, the invention can be used in association with a golf club, providing a means of interchangeably and securely attaching a plurality of golf club heads to a single shaft.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

An exemplary embodiment of the new and improved attachment system of the present invention is shown in operative association with a golf club which is typically manufactured as a single component, requiring the user to carry a plurality of clubs around in a golf bag during a typical round of golf. Heretofore, golf club heads have been glued to the shaft end by epoxy or other adhesive and, often times, specialty golf shops will assemble the shafts and the golf club heads to customize the clubs for a customer. Due to the inconvenience of carrying around a large number of golf clubs, it may be desirous to have a system that allows for the interchangeability of various golf club heads with a single shaft.

There are known forms of shaft and head component connections, such as that shown in PCT Patent Application No. WO 2004/009186 and U.S. Published Application Nos. 2004/0018887 and 2004/0018886. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art. once the present invention is understood, there are significant deficiencies existing in the prior art, which are overcome by utilizing the unique shaft attachment principles of the present invention.

SUMMARY

In providing an interchangeable threaded means of attaching an object to a shaft, such as a golf club head, various factors have to be considered. First of all, the weight of the head and shaft assembly is of importance. In the particular application of golf clubs, the club must remain lightweight in order to retain its performance. Secondly, the strength of the connection between the head and the shaft must be secure enough to prevent accidental separation, but must also provide for easy separation (i.e., low torque) by the user when it is desired to change the head on the shaft.

The present invention utilizes a threaded fitting between a collet attached to the end of a shaft (i.e., to the lower end of a golf club shaft) and a complementary threaded female aperture on an associated component (i.e., on the top of a golf club head). Utilizing conventional 60° threads would create an adequate amount of tension to hold the assembly together, although after repeated impacting and vibration, the joint will work itself loose because there is a degree of unavoidable clearance in the 60° threads. Therefore, the present invention utilizes a ramped thread design for the female threads, which eliminates the lateral thread clearance, and converts some of the axial tension seen in the 60° threads to radial or compressive forces on the male threads. This design utilizes the compressive forces to compress the male thread component, gripping the shaft, and eliminating all clearances in the threaded joint that can allow vibration or noise in the joint. This will virtually eliminate any vibration from the threaded joint, while utilizing the same applied torque as other threaded connections.

The female threads are formed so that when the threaded collet attached to the shaft initially engages the female threads, nominal friction is produced until the threaded collet is fully inserted, at which point the threads of the male collet engage the ramped inner surfaces of the female threads, creating a locking force while utilizing normal torque. This connection, as mentioned, eliminates all clearances in the threaded joint that can allow vibration or noise in the joint.

It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to create a system of connecting a shaft component to an associated component, herein illustrated and explained by way of example and not by limitation, as embodied in interchangeable golf club heads with a single shaft, which eliminates vibration and noise normally associated with such detachable assemblies.

A further advantage of the present invention is to provide a system for connecting a shaft component and an associated component embodied, by way of example, in an interchangeable golf club head system, which is simple to connect and disconnect without applying excessive torque to the shaft or head.

It is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide a connection system which prevents inadvertent separation due to repeated impacting and vibration as a result of repeated impact forces.

Finally, a further advantage of the present invention is to provide a shaft connection system which can be utilized in various other applications, not just golf club construction, wherein it is desirous to securely attach an object to a given shaft while maintaining the ability to selectively disassemble the components when it is so desired.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way.

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view of the torque-wrenching surface of the primary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional, partial side view of the golf club connection embodiment shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 1A of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 1A of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 1A of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 1F is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the collet adapter and club head showing the inter-relationship of the helical thread forms thereof;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view of the torque-wrenching surface of the primary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a side view of the golf club connection collet of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 2A of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2D is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 2A of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 2A of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the torque-wrenching surface of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional, partial side view of the golf club connection embodiment shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 3A of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 3A of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 3A of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of the torque-wrenching surface of the third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B is a side view of the golf club connection collet of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 4A of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 4A of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 4E is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 4A of FIG. 4B;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the torque-wrenching surface of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional, partial side view of the golf club connection embodiment shown in FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 5A of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 5A of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 5E is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 5A of FIG. 5B;

FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the torque-wrenching surface of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a side view of the golf club connection embodiment shown in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of a first embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 6A of FIG. 6B;

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 6A of FIG. 6B;

FIG. 6E is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the threaded collet, taken along line 6A of FIG. 1B; and

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of the present invention wherein the collet adapter is provided with two separate helically threaded portions, the uppermost of which is adapted for threaded engagement with internally threaded lock nut having the same ramp thread form as is provided within the golf club head.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

As previously stated, the scope of the present invention is intended to encompass a threaded connection system which can be utilized in various applications wherein it is desirous to securely attach an object to a given shaft while maintaining the ability to selectively disassemble the components when it is so desired. For the purposes of illustration and not limitation, the shaft connection system of the present invention is embodied in a golf club having interchangeable golf club heads.

Referring now to the figures, in particular FIGS. 1A through 2E, a primary embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this first embodiment, the assembly 10 is shown connecting a golf club shaft 13 with a golf club head 11. A threaded collet adapter 12 is attached to the bottom end of the golf club shaft 13. The collet adapter 12 has a bottom portion with male threads 14 which are received in the threaded female aperture in the top of the golf club head. The female threads 17 comprise a ramped lower surface or ramp R to each thread, as best shown in FIG. 1F, which provide the locking compressive forces to compress the male threads 14 when tightened, eliminating all clearances in the threaded joint that can allow vibration or noise in the joint. An O-ring seal 16 is positioned between the collet adapter 12 and the golf club head 11 to add friction to the assembly and keep debris and moisture out of the joint.

The collet adapter 12 comprises an upper end having a plurality of textured ribs 15 which assist the user in torquing the assembly 10 together. The collet adapter 12 further comprises a tapered lower end which will wedge into a mating taper in the threaded aperture of the golf club head 11 as the assembly is tightened. As shown in FIGS. 1C-1E and FIGS. 2C-2E, a series of vertical grooves 18 are formed in the threaded portion of the collet adapter 12, which allow the threaded portion to frictionally and compressingly clamp the shaft 13 as the assembly is tightened. Therefore, there are four means of locking the shaft 13 to the head 11 comprising: (1) the threaded tension; (2) the collet adapter 12 clamping onto the shaft 13; (3) the taper clamping; (4) as well as the added friction of the O-ring seal 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 3A-4E, a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the assembly 20 is shown connecting a golf club shaft 13 with a golf club head 11. A threaded collet adapter 22 is attached to the bottom end of the golf club shaft 13. The collet adapter 22 has a bottom portion with male threads 24 which are received in the threaded female aperture in the top of the golf club head. The female threads 17 comprise a ramped lower surface R to each thread as shown in FIG. 3B, which provides the locking compressive forces to compress the male threads 24 when tightened, eliminating all clearances in the threaded joint that can allow vibration or noise in the joint. An O-ring seal 16 is positioned between the collet adapter 22 and the golf club head 11 to add friction to the assembly and keep debris and moisture out of the joint.

The collet adapter 22 comprises an upper end having a plurality of textured ribs 25 which assist the user in torquing the assembly 20 together. In association with the collet adapter 22, a wedge-shaped plug 29 is inserted into the inside diameter of the shaft 13 at the bottom. The plug 29 comprises a tapered lower end which will wedge into a mating taper 19 in the threaded aperture of the golf club head 11 as the assembly is tightened. As shown in FIGS. 3C-3E and FIGS. 4C-4E, a series of vertical grooves 28, similar to the first embodiment, is formed in the threaded portion of the collet adapter 22, which allows the threaded portion to frictionally clamp the shaft 13 as the assembly is tightened. Therefore, in this embodiment, there are four means of locking the shaft 13 to the head 11 comprising: (1) the threaded tension; (2) the collet adapter 22 clamping onto the shaft 13; (3) the taper clamping; (4) as well as the added friction of the O-ring seal 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A-6E, a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the assembly 30 is shown connecting a golf club shaft 13 with a golf club head 11. A threaded collet adapter 32 is attached to the bottom end of the golf club shaft 13. The collet adapter 32 has a bottom portion with male threads 34 which are received in the threaded female aperture in the top of the golf club head. The female threads 17 comprise a ramped lower surface R to each thread, as shown in FIG. 5B, which provide the locking compressive forces to compress the male threads 24 when tightened, eliminating all clearances in the threaded joint that can allow vibration or noise in the joint.

The collet adapter 32 comprises an upper end having a plurality of textured ribs 35 which assist the user in torquing the assembly 20 together. The upper end of the collet adapter 32 further comprises a widened shoulder portion which clamps against the top of the golf club head 11 when tightened. This generates further axial tension while also closing the collet adapter 32 on the shaft 13, keeping debris and moisture out of the joint. The collet adapter 32 further comprises a tapered lower end 40 which will wedge into a mating taper 42 in the threaded aperture of the golf club head 11 as the assembly is tightened. As shown in FIGS. 5C-5E and FIGS. 6C-6E, a series of vertical grooves 38 is formed in the threaded portion of the collet adapter 32, which allows the threaded portion to frictionally clamp the shaft 13 as the assembly is tightened. Therefore, in this embodiment, there are also four means of locking the shaft 13 to the head 11 comprising: (1) the threaded tension; (2) the collet adapter 32 clamping onto the shaft 13; (3) the taper clamping; (4) as well as the added friction of the shoulder of the collet adapter 32 on the top of the golf club head 11.

FIG. 7 discloses yet a further embodiment of the present invention wherein the collet adapter 12′ is provided with to axially spaced threaded portions containing threads 14′ at the lower end thereof and threads 14″ at the upper end thereof. The threads 14′ are intended to cooperate with female threads 17 having the ramp R in the same manner as described in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 to clampingly secure the golf club shaft 13 within the golf club head 11. The threads 14″ are intended to threadably engage female threads 17′ formed around the interior of a locking nut 44. The threads 13′ are of the same configuration as the threads 17 and contain the ramp R to cause the upper end of the collet adapter 12′ to clampingly engage the golf club shaft 13 upon tightening of the nut 44 on the collet adapter 12′. Preferably, both ends of the collet adapter 12′ have tapered ends 40′ and 40″ which are intended to wedge with mating tapered surfaces 42′ and 42″, respectively, within the golf club head 11 and interior of the lock nut 44 to provide additional grippery force of the golf club shaft 13 within the golf club head 11. Within this design of the collet adapter 12′, the shaft 13 is clampingly and compressingly secured at both ends of the adapter 12, rather than at just one end thereof as is the case with the earlier described embodiment of the present invention.

The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. In particular, although the present invention was illustrated and explained in association with a golf club shaft and interchangeable golf club heads, the principle of the present invention could find wide and varied other applications for detachably securing components, such as certain hand tools, to a shaft-like member, such as a tool handle. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1. A golf club system comprising: a club shaft having a manually engageable gripping portion at one end thereof and a golf club head attachment portion at the opposite end thereof; at least one golf club head having a shaft attachment portion cooperable with and adapted to be removably connected to said golf club attachment portion of said shaft; an attachment member interposed between said attachment portion of said shaft and said attachment portion of said at least one golf club head; the exterior of said attachment member having a first helical thread form threadably engaged with a second helical thread form within a bore of said shaft attachment portion of said at least one golf club head; threaded engagement of said first thread form with said second thread form causing said attachment member to compressingly engage the exterior of said attachment portion of said shaft so as to retain said at least one golf club head on said golf club shaft, and threaded disengagement of said first thread form from said second thread form releasing the compression force on said golf club head attachment portion of such shaft to permit removal of said at least one golf club head from said shaft and permit replacement of the same or an alternate golf club head on said shaft; one of said thread forms comprising a locking ramp adapted for engagement with the other of said thread forms to cause said attachment member to compressingly engage said attachment portion of said shaft.
 2. A golf club system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said golf club head attachment portion comprises an internally threaded bore, and wherein said one thread form is provided within said bore.
 3. A golf club system as set forth in claim 2, which comprises a plurality of interchangeable golf club heads, each of said golf club heads having an internally threaded bore with said one thread form provided therein.
 4. A golf club system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said attachment member has a plurality of recesses formed therein to permit radially deformation upon threaded engagement of said thread forms on said attachment portion of said one golf club head and on said attachment portion of said shaft.
 5. A golf club system as set forth in claim 1 which comprises O-ring means to provide frictional resistance to threaded disengagement of said thread forms and to keep debris and moisture away from said thread forms.
 6. A golf club system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment member comprises gripping means to facilitate manual rotation thereof to threadably engage or disengage said thread forms on said attachment member and said one golf club head.
 7. A golf club system as set forth in claim 1 wherein the terminal end of said golf club head attachment portion of said shaft is tapered and is adapted for engagement with a tapered internally threaded bore in said one golf club head to resist relative movement therebetween.
 8. A golf club system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said attachment member comprises a shoulder adapted to engage a mating surface on said one golf club head upon threaded engagement of said thread forms for resisting relative movement between said thread forms and hence between said shaft and said at least one golf club head.
 9. A golf club system as set forth in claim 4 wherein said attachment member comprises a plurality of axially extending radially spaced recesses permitting radially deformation of at least a portion of said attachment member whereby to compressingly engage said golf club head attachment portion of said shaft upon threaded engagement of said thread forms. 